For more than a century, men’s glee clubs and men’s choirs have played an important role in the landscape of American choral music through rich tradition, camaraderie, and a distinctive repertoire. Today, many directors are reimagining these ensembles to welcome and affirm singers of all gender identities. This session explores how the tenor/bass choral tradition is evolving and how its legacy informs current conversations about access, belonging, and ensemble identity. Attendees will gain insights from a national study of tenor/bass choirs and engage in an open discussion about practical strategies, successes, and challenges in creating tenor/bass ensembles where every singer feels welcome and included.
Boys2Them: Welcoming All Singers in Your Tenor Bass Choir
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Dustin Cates
Dustin S. Cates (he/him) is a teacher, conductor, and researcher from Kansas City, Missouri. He is passionate about building meaningful relationships through music and helping future conductor?teachers embrace their authentic voice. He is Associate Professor of Choral Music Education at Temple University, where he conducts University Chorale, mentors graduate students, and teaches courses in choral/vocal pedagogy and music education. His work centers on inclusion and belonging in choral music. An active presenter and conductor, he leads workshops and honor choirs nationwide. Before joining the faculty at Temple, he taught high school choir and served as artistic director and condcutor of Heartland Men?s Chorus. He has held leadership roles with ACDA at the state, regional, and national levels. He is husband to Dr. Raymond Cattaneo (medical, not music) and father to their son, Emmaus.
